PROFESSOR EWA ENDORSES PLAN TO ERADICATE SLEEPING SICKNESS AND RIVER BLINDNESS IN NIGERIA

[FMSTNigeria]

Minister of Science and Technology, Professor Ita Okon Bassey Ewa has assured the nation that the 5 year strategic plan being proposed for the research, control and the eradication of Trypanosomiasis and Onchocerciasis, otherwise known as Sleeping Sickness and River Blindness would serve as a platform for collaboration among critical stakeholders in the country.

Speaking when he declared open a 3 day National Conference on Trypanosomiasis and Onchocerciasis Research, Zoonotic/Public Health Implications, control and eradication in Nigeria, today in Abuja, Professor Ewa said" the five year strategic plan for research, control and eradication of Trypanosomiasis and Onchocerciasis in Nigeria, when approved will serve as a guide, not only for NITR, but also as a platform for collaboration among Stakeholders, Ministries and Agencies".

The Minister who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, Hajia Rabi Jimeta noted that the theme of the conference; "Focusing Research and Development Strategies towards a Nigeria free of Trypanosomiasis and Onchocerciasis was apt, and in line with the core objectives of the new National Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Policy towards the achievement of the Transformation Agenda of the President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan".

 

He also stressed that the major objectives of the conference was to provide platform for Scientists to present and discuss recent research findings in the areas of African Sleeping Sickness in Man and Cattle, and River blindness in Man, which are usually caused by Tsetse and black flies, as well as the development, presentation and discussion on a five year strategic plan for research, control and eradication of these diseases from Nigeria. The discussion is to be handled by a group of experts on the issue.

 

Contributing, the Director General and Chief Executive of NITR, Professor Muhammad Mamman, noted that sleeping sickness in man and animal including river blindness has remained permanent for several decades in Nigeria, causing annually, losses in billion of naira, due to decreased productivity and death, while impaired vision, blindness, body lesions, disability and loss of man hours, continues to trail communities affected by them.

According to him,  "Due to the health and socio-economic effects of these diseases, the nation's goal of achieving food security and self sufficiency in agriculture, sustainable supply of animal Protein and milk will remain unfulfilled in decades to come". He added that vast fertile lands infested by tsetse and black fly will remain unutilized for farming, live stock production, human settlement, tourism and other endeavours.

 

He therefore called for a nationwide surveillance on Tsetse, black fly and River blindness in the future to check the malaise.

STEPHEN NELSON

Deputy Director (Press)

21^st May, 2013.

Via: Federal Ministry of Science and Technology (FMST) Nigeria